Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Mar 30, 2015 3:04 pm Hello, I want to build a garden bed with wooden sleepers. The problem: I have a 20 meter long wooden fence and I want the 'garden bed' to be at the bottom of the 20m fence. At first I thought about having one row of wooden sleepers, but then I realised that when I filled it up with top soil, that the top soil would most likely fall through the fence (and rot the fence overtime). So, I now believe I need two (2) 'rows' of wooden sleepers. One row at the 'front' and one row at the 'back' (attached to the existing wooden fence). The thing is, I have no idea how to attach the 'posts' (off cuts of the sleepers) to the wooden fence. I can't use bolts, because the fence palings are to small. I thought about digging a hole and cementing the posts? but how the hell do you make sure they're 'flush' with the fence? Note: I am a complete newbie at this stuff, so go easy on me. Thanks. Luke. Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 2Mar 30, 2015 9:55 pm goto Bunnings or Masters. They have galv. steel uprights suitable for one sleeper high applications. if you are installing one sleeper high then the upright would need to be a minimum of 500mm long. 300mm concreted in the ground, 200mm for the sleeper To get them to run in a straight line and flush to fence - install a steel upright at both ends of the 20mtrs at the height required. now with a builders string line... run the string line to the outside of the steel uprights you just installed ie : inbetween fence and upright, this will give you a straight line and also a height to work to. Make sure you don't use standard treated pine sleepers if you want to have veggies etc growing there, you have to use veggie safe sleepers Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 3Mar 31, 2015 11:40 am Thanks Davinci, I didn't know they existed! I will go out this weekend and buy some. I have one more question, how do I go about digging the hole? the ground is rock hard soil. I do not own a hole digger. I saw something on TV where a guy attached something to his drill - and it drilled a hole into the earth... not sure if that's the best bet? or a cheap hole digger? Cheers. Luke. Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 4Mar 31, 2015 11:42 am Also, one other stupid question. How do you know if the 'post' is straight? If I put a spirit level on it, won't the level think it is straight? because the surface of the post is smooth / level? Should I use a square or something? O_o Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 5Mar 31, 2015 12:33 pm elemental09 Also, one other stupid question. How do you know if the 'post' is straight? If I put a spirit level on it, won't the level think it is straight? because the surface of the post is smooth / level? Should I use a square or something? O_o A spirit level works on gravity, as long as you've paid your rates the council will leave the gravity switched on and your spirit level will work. A cheap corner level is much easier to use than a 1m long level for posts. Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 6Mar 31, 2015 4:00 pm Thanks WokWon. What is the best way to dig a hole in hard soil / clag ? I don't think the shovel will really cut it. Do those poles you get at Bunnings (that look like they have 2 little trowels on the end) do any good at digging holes? Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 7Mar 31, 2015 4:51 pm For digging holes you should use a spade, not a shovel. To loosen up the soil you could use a mattock. If you can borrow a jackhammer that will help you to dig through the tough stuff. Building in Brisbane with Vernal-Corner & Buchanan https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73636 Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 8Apr 01, 2015 12:36 pm I use a small 600mm level that is magnetised for steel posts. They also come in 300mm length. As for digging, a post hole shovel, jack hammer etc to do manually or goto a local hire store and hire a post hole digger. http://www.bunnings.com.au/cyclone-squa ... l_p3369776 There are companies that can drill the holes with a Dingo mini digger or a mini excavator for you. Maybe google Dingo mini diggers in your area. Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 9Apr 01, 2015 1:48 pm If you soak the spot in a little water or dig after rain it can be a bit softer. Sent from an elegant mobile device using Tapatalk. The Blog for my new house build is http://customaussie.blogspot.com.au and my forum thread is at viewtopic.php?t=74944 Re: Building a wooden sleeper garden bed 10Apr 02, 2015 12:33 am A combo of a spade and a cheap hammer drill (a drill with a jackhammer function) will get you through it. For example Ozito do a range of DIY hammer drills for $50-150 (google bunnings ozito hammer drill). I find the 850W good value for money and can handle most tough jobs around the house including breaking up concrete. I wouldnt be wasting money hiring machinery on something a bit of elbow grease can fix. If you're doing things on a budget then buy a crowbar for ~$5-$10 with a good point on it - stab the hard ground to loosen it up and remove with your spade. Rinse repeat until you get your depth. Clay can be a tough one to dig through but youll get there eventually. If you start a hole and are struggling to make progress then fill it up with water and come back later to try again. 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